A 12-YEAR-OLD boy who went missing in Brighton overnight has been found.

Police were growing increasingly concerned for the safety of Mason Williams and issued a public appeal to track down the youngster.

He had arranged to go out after school and return home at 7.30pm, but had not been seen since leaving school on Friday afternoon.

He had never gone missing before and there were concerns for his welfare and safety.

But this afternoon police announced that Mason had returned home safely.

They said in a statement: "Missing Mason Williams, 12, from Brighton, returned home safe and well shortly before 1pm on Saturday (December 15). "